Finding a wheelchair accessible vehicle with enough seating for your needs can be difficult. Caregivers or parents often find themselves in a situation where they need a wheelchair conversion to transport a loved one or patient in a wheelchair along with several other ambulatory passengers. As anyone with a wheelchair accessible vehicle probably already knows, this can be difficult. 

The extensive modifications made to the back of the vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair often remove some of the OEM seats. This can make it a challenge for caregivers, parents or commercial drivers who need seats for ambulatory passengers in their wheelchair vehicle. But in some vehicles, the opposite can be true — too many seats can leave your wheelchair passengers feeling cramped or secluded in the third row.

Thankfully, there are options available to suit almost anyone’s needs when it comes to accessible vehicle seating. Freedom Motors USA offers a variety of vans and SUVs with their own seating arrangements, with full-cut and half-cut options. Here’s a breakdown of what Freedom Motors has to offer to help find the right vehicle for you.

Full-Cut or Half-Cut?

Freedom Motors offers vehicles in two options: full-cut or half-cut. This refers to the size of the conversion in the actual vehicle. On full-cut vehicles, the lowered floor extends from the very back of the vehicle all the way to the front seats, allowing wheelchair passengers to sit in the second row. On half-cut vehicles, the lowered floor of the conversion extends only partially and puts wheelchair passengers in the third row.

Each option has its own advantages. Full-cut vehicles provide the most space for wheelchair passengers, and bring them up to the second row. This is a great way to keep them more included in the conversation with the front seats and other passengers. Some full-cut vehicles offer room for two wheelchairs or one stretcher.

Half-cut vehicles still offer plenty of options, but they only have room for one wheelchair passenger in the third row. They offer plenty of seating options for additional ambulatory passengers. 

Two-Person Folding Bench

The two-person folding bench is a great option for those who occasionally need some extra seating that won’t get in the way. With options to go in the second or third row depending on the vehicle, this bench is a great way to make sure you have the additional seating you may need without becoming cumbersome or inconvenient. It is also the only option available to be placed in the third row.

The two-person folding bench is available for the following:

• Half-Cut Toyota Sienna – Placed in the second row
• Half-Cut Dodge Grand Caravan – Placed in the second row
• Toyota Sienna 30” and 34” Ramp – Placed in the third row
• Dodge Grand Caravan 30” and 34” Ramp – Placed in the third row
• Chrysler Pacifica 38” – Placed in the third row

OEM Remount

For some vehicles, there is an option to remount the OEM seats that originally came with the vehicle in the second row. There are several advantages that come with keeping the OEM seats.

Remounting the OEM captain’s chairs will give you the widest bucket seat option possible. They’re also great for families with young kids, as the wider seat makes it easier to secure a car seat. Because they originally came with the vehicle, the OEM seats will perfectly match the look of the vehicle’s front seats.

Remounted OEM seats are available on the following vehicles:

• Half-Cut Toyota Sienna
• Dodge Grand Caravan –  All Models
• Chrysler Pacifica – All Models

OEM Remount on Flip & Fold Bases

On the Dodge Grand Caravan, the OEM seats can be mounted on Flip & Fold bases. This means you get all of the benefits granted by OEM seating — wider seats, ability to easily secure car seats, and a design that matches the front seats — along with the ability to fold the seats out of the way. When not in use the seats can be folded up on the sides of the vehicle, making room for a wheelchair passenger in the second row.

This option is available on:

• Dodge Grand Caravan – All Models

OEM Middle Bench Remount

The OEM middle bench remount option is perfect for families who need lots of seats. This option takes the OEM bench seat that originally comes with the vehicle and remounts it in the second row, providing three seats in the second row and room for a wheelchair passenger in the third row. Because the OEM bench originally came with the vehicle, it will perfectly match the look of the front seats. 

The OEM middle bench remount is available on the following models:

• Toyota Sienna – Half-Cut Models
• Dodge Grand Caravan – Half-Cut Models

60/40 on Flip & Fold Bases

The 60/40 on Flip & Fold bases is a great option for paratransit companies or families who just need a little extra flexibility when it comes to seating. Available on the Toyota Sienna, this option uses the OEM middle bench remount seats but the Flip & Fold bases allow them to be folded up and out of the way. With the bench folded down, the second row can seat three ambulatory passengers with room for one wheelchair in the third row. With the seats folded up, the vehicle can fit two wheelchairs or one stretcher.

Available on:

• Toyota Sienna – Superwide 48” Ramp

Deluxe Buckets

Available as a second row seating option, the Deluxe Buckets offer a narrower seat than the OEM options. This allows for more space in the conversion area and more room in the second row overall. Available in premium vinyl or cloth and a variety of colors, they will offer a close match to the OEM front seats.

Deluxe Bucket seats are available in the following models:

• Toyota Sienna – 30” and 34” Ramps
• Chevrolet Traverse – All Models
• Buick Enclave – All Models
• Kia Sorento – All Models
• Kia Telluride – All Models
• Hyundai Palisade – All Models

Freedman Buckets

The Freedman Buckets are the narrowest second-row bucket seat available, providing even more room in the conversion area than the Deluxe Buckets. Available on Toyota Sienna and Dodge Grand Caravan conversions, there are different colors of cloth available to closer match the OEM seating.

Freedman Buckets are available on the following models:

• Toyota Sienna – 34” and Superwide 48” Ramp
• Dodge Grand Caravan – Superwide 40” Ramp

About Freedom Motors USA Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Why buy your wheelchair accessible vehicle from Freedom Motors USA? It’s simple. Freedom Motors is family-owned and has been creating accessible vehicle conversions since 1987, making us one of the first companies in the industry. We have experience getting our customers what they need.

• • Don’t know where to start? Our team of Mobility Specialists will work with you to help find the vehicle that best suits your needs.
  • Shop from Home – Freedom Motors will come to you anywhere in the country to provide a demonstration of any of our wheelchair conversions.
  • Exclusive Stock – Shop our expansive list of exclusive rear-entry accessible SUVs that you won’t find anywhere else in the mobility industry, including the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Kia Sorento, Kia Soul, Kia Telluride and Honda HR-V.
  • Premium Features – Freedom Motors conversions offer features you won’t find anywhere else, like the exclusive automatic rear-entry ramp or our full and half-cut options that allow for more passenger seating options
  • Superwide Ramps – Freedom Motors offers some of the widest ramps in the industry that you won’t find anywhere else, including the Superwide 40” Dodge Grand Caravan and the Superwide 48” Toyota Sienna.
  • Dedicated to Keeping You Moving – Contact us today and we’ll work with you to find the right vehicle for you. 

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